North State Journal Staff – Moore County Edition

Jun

03

2024

Two local players head to NCAA baseball tournament

SportsMoore County sports

The NCAA baseball tournament starts this weekend, and a pair of graduates from county high schools will be competing to make the College World Series in Omaha. Ten local players were on a college baseball team at some level this season. Two of them are still standing as the tourney shifts into gear at 16 sites around the nation. RJ Sales, a member of Pinecrest’s class of 2021, will be leading UNC Wilmington into the tournament. Sales, who won conference player of the year while leading the Patriots to the Sandhills Conference championship as a senior, is a redshirt sophomore…

May

24

2024

By Ena Sellers

Moore volunteer fire depts. receive more than $14K in grants

NewsMoore County, volunteer fire

The North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal announced the recipients of the 2024 Volunteer Fire Department Fund, also known as Fire Grant, on May 15. Two departments in Moore County received more than $14,000 between them. Eastwood Fire was awarded $11,200 and Westmoore Fire received $3,068. The money will go towards new equipment and must be paired with matching funds. "Fire and rescue organizations protect our communities large and small across North Carolina, but sometimes their budgets don't grow with their responsibilities," stated Brian Taylor, State Fire Marshal in the announcement. "Our emergency service personnel should be supported with…

May

24

2024

By North State Journal Staff

Athlete of the Week: Janie Spicer

Sportsathlete of the week, Janie Spicer, Moore County sports, Union Pines

Janie Spicer is a senior for the Union Pines’ girls’ lacrosse team. The Vikings won their first-ever state title and wrapped up an undefeated season. Spicer led the way winning NCHSAA Most Valuable Player honors after scoring three goals, with four assists, in the championship game. She also took the NCHSAA Sportsmanship Award. For the season, Spicer led Union Pines in shots on goal and was second in goals and assists. She also led the squad in ground balls and was second in turnovers forced. ‌

May

24

2024

By North State Journal Staff

Union Pines takes state girls’ lacrosse title

SportsMoore County sports, Union Pines

Spring sports wrapped up with a first-ever school title for Union Pines girls’ lacrosse. Here’s a look at the playoff roundup. Girls’ lacrosse Union Pines won the first girls’ lacrosse state title in school history, finishing off a perfect 18-0 season. The Vikings had their biggest scare of the season in the state semifinals, trailing Croatan at the half before rallying for a 14-13 win. Ellie Powell had six goals and Janie Spicer five in the comeback victory. Union Pines then blew out Bishop McGuinness, 20-6, to win the 1A/2A/3A title. Powell had another six goals and Spicer three. The…

May

19

2024

By North State Journal Staff

Union Pines student killed in crash

NewsMoore County Schools

A student from Union Pines High School was killed in a car crash, Moore County Schools announced in a press release Tuesday afternoon. “During this extremely difficult time, our thoughts and prayers are with the student’s family, friends and the Union Pines High School community,” the release read. “Understanding the impact of this tragedy on our students and staff, we are actively providing necessary resources and support. Counselors and other support personnel are available to all students and staff, offering a safe space for those who may need assistance.” The school district did not share any additional information on the…

May

18

2024

By North State Journal Staff

Girls soccer brackets released, while Union Pines reaches girls’ lax final four

SportsMoore County sports

Union Pines softball and girls’ lacrosse join Pinecrest baseball in the later rounds of their respective state tournaments, while girls’ soccer gets ready to kick off the postseason. Boys’ tennis All three local teams saw their playoff runs come to an end last week. No. 10 seed North Moore fell to No. 7 Chatham Charter, 5-2 in the second round, finishing their season with a 3-9 record. In 4A, No. 5 Pinecrest was upset by No. 12 Broughton in the second round, ending the season with a 13-2 mark. In the 3A bracket, No. 10 Union Pines got a second-round…

May

10

2024

By North State Journal Staff

Athlete of the Week: Maddy Telemeco

Sportsathlete of the week, Maddy Telemeco, Moore County sports

Maddy Telemeco is a junior for the Union Pines girls’ lacrosse team. The top-ranked Vikings blew out Havelock, 27-0, in their second-round game in the NCHSAA playoffs. Telemeco led the way for Union Pines with 10 points in the game. She scored four goals and added six assists. She also added four ground balls and controlled six draws. Telemeco leads Union Pines in assists and shot percentage. She’s second in turnovers caused and total points and ranks third on the team in goals.

May

10

2024

By North State Journal Staff

Tennis, lacrosse teams still fighting, while baseball, softball suit up

SportsMoore County sports

Playoffs are underway in boys’ tennis, as well as boys’ and girls’ lacrosse. Baseball and softball are joining the NCHSAA postseason this week. Here’s a look at how the area teams are doing in the brackets. Boys’ tennis Pinecrest and Union Pines both won their NCHSAA playoff openers, while North Moore got a first-round bye, meaning all three area teams were still alive as of the start of this week, which saw second-round action take place after press time. North Moore, the No. 10 seed in 1A faced No. 7 Chatham Charter (12-6). No. 5 Pinecrest advanced via forfeit past…

May

04

2024

By Robert Owens

CCCC car show supports automotive programs

NewsCentral Carolina Community College, Moore County

Central Carolina Community College (CCCC) will host its 7th annual Car and Motorcycle Show on Saturday, May 18, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the school’s Main Campus in Sanford. The show is the school’s platform to showcase its automotive programs, with free admission and no registration fee. Donations are encouraged with all proceeds supporting CCCC’s automotive restoration and motorcycle mechanics programs. All vehicle makes and models can compete, with awards and door prizes available for registered vehicles. Food trucks will be on hand, with countless opportunities to meet other motorcycle and auto enthusiasts while supporting an essential community…

May

04

2024

By North State Journal Staff

Moore Regional Hospital earns top marks for patient experience

NewsFirstHealth Moore Regional

FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital has been named a 2024 Outstanding Patient Experience Award recipient by Healthgrades, a leading resource for consumers seeking information on hospitals and doctors. The award, which Moore Regional received for the 17th consecutive year, recognizes the hospital's commitment to providing exceptional care experiences for patients and their loved ones according to the company. The recognition places Moore Regional among the top 15% of hospitals nationwide for patient experience. Healthgrades applies a scoring methodology to ten patient experience measures using Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey data submitted by the hospital's own patients. The…